West Brom: Paul Robinson surprised by James Morrison, he didn't see this coming
James Morrison has more than earned his chance as permanent West Bromwich Albion boss.
The former midfielder took over on an interim basis back in February, tasked with guiding the Baggies to safety.
That, he most certainly did, with a 10-match unbeaten run heading into the final day, sealing the Championship spot with relative ease.
As a result, Morrison has been placed in charge to lead Albion back to prosperity next term.
Looking ahead to the summer, former teammate Paul Robinson has lauded his impact, saying that Morrison, as a manager, could not have been envisaged in his playing days.
But based on the comments, it is abundantly clear that Albion have landed the right man to guide them forward.
Paul Robinson drops James Morrison verdict after West Brom survival exploits
It cannot be overstated just how dire the situation was at The Hawthorns upon Morrison's appointment.
Following the dismal spells of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, the Baggies looked hopeless tactically, while the group was as downtrodden as ever.
With a former icon in charge, there was an element of calmness about Morrison, though Robinson expressed that he would not have foreseen him in the dugout during his playing career.
"Not really with Mozza, no, because he was so quiet," said the ex-goalkeeper, when asked by Express & Star as to whether he saw Morrison as a future manager.
"Some people go about their business quieter, don't they? He learnt, he studied, he's watched people and he's now taken full control of that," he added, mentioning the influences of Tony Mowbray on Morrison's style.
"When we were in the building it was all about standards," he said. "It was all about the culture of West Brom.
"What Mozza has instilled is that togetherness and of what West Brom is all about and how we go about our business."
Morrison traits line up perfectly with West Brom
As mentioned, the Baggies were a mess when Morrison got the job back in February.
The Midlanders required a calmness and someone to apply an element of common sense to the situation - that would be exactly what the former midfielder brought with him.
From the switch to a 4-4-2 formation, the profiling of his players, how he dealt with the press and his understanding of the fanbase, it sounds cliché but Morrison simply 'gets' West Bromwich Albion.
Next season will naturally be a different test, with the level of expectation rising.
But based on what has been seen at The Hawthorns, it can't be argued that he most definitely deserves the chance to lead the club into what is hopefully a more prosperous year.